Funding options for long adventures

[salcar]

I’ve been on the road for almost six months, traveled across 16 countries and 19,000 miles. Funding is one of the top three questions I’ve been asked. How do you find money to do a trip like this? So I decided to compile a list of things that I’ve done and heard about and I want to share it with you. I put in parenthesis my thoughts on them. They are not listed in any particular order.


- Plan as much as possible, live very frugal for a couple of years and save money (best way but I didn’t do it because everything the conditions for my trip happen to quickly)
- Sell everything you own that doesn’t fit on the motorcycle ( I like it because when the trip is over your start with new ideas and new things.)
- Apply for new credit cards and loans (I don’t recommended but I did it. Sometimes is the only option to make dreams come true)
- Set up a Blog with a paypal account. work best if the trip has something meaningful to it not just the adventure part of it (one of the best ideas for a trip because it helps you raise awareness of your cause, raise money and is a good way to keep a journal)
- If you are experienced/photographer writer can work as freelance write (I’ve been trying to do it but is hard. I know other motorcyclist that have done it)
- If you have time you can find jobs while traveling (I can’t do it because I cannpt find one that will allow me to pay for my interest rates. But if you are debt free is a great way to prolong and learn about the culture.)
- Write a business plan for the trip and save all your receipts. When you file your tax return you can wirte those off as a lost. (I met a couple that is currently traveling. They wrote a business plan for a book and that is their plan to save some money at the end)
- Keep in contact with friends, family and co-workers. Emails and calls from locutorios/cyber caffes as fairly cheap and these people are the ones that will support you the most.
- Once you have a list of gear that you need contact the vendors and ask for discount and sponsorship (needs good planning, a lot of effort and patience)
- Create a logo, set up a caffepress.com account and sell t-shirts, stickers etc on your blog

That is what comes to mind right now. I’ll post more as I remember them.

Also, I’m running low in money and I would like to hear from you what are other options.

[jdmetzger]

I’ve been on the road for almost six months, traveled across 16 countries and 19,000 miles. Funding is one of the top three questions I’ve been asked. How do you find money to do a trip like this? So I decided to compile a list of things that I’ve done and heard about and I want to share it with you. I put in parenthesis my thoughts on them. They are not listed in any particular order.


- Plan as much as possible, live very frugal for a couple of years and save money (best way but I didn’t do it because everything the conditions for my trip happen to quickly)
- Sell everything you own that doesn’t fit on the motorcycle ( I like it because when the trip is over your start with new ideas and new things.)
- Apply for new credit cards and loans (I don’t recommended but I did it. Sometimes is the only option to make dreams come true)
- Set up a Blog with a paypal account. work best if the trip has something meaningful to it not just the adventure part of it (one of the best ideas for a trip because it helps you raise awareness of your cause, raise money and is a good way to keep a journal)
- If you are experienced/photographer writer can work as freelance write (I’ve been trying to do it but is hard. I know other motorcyclist that have done it)
- If you have time you can find jobs while traveling (I can’t do it because I cannpt find one that will allow me to pay for my interest rates. But if you are debt free is a great way to prolong and learn about the culture.)
- Write a business plan for the trip and save all your receipts. When you file your tax return you can wirte those off as a lost. (I met a couple that is currently traveling. They wrote a business plan for a book and that is their plan to save some money at the end)
- Keep in contact with friends, family and co-workers. Emails and calls from locutorios/cyber caffes as fairly cheap and these people are the ones that will support you the most.
- Once you have a list of gear that you need contact the vendors and ask for discount and sponsorship (needs good planning, a lot of effort and patience)
- Create a logo, set up a caffepress.com account and sell t-shirts, stickers etc on your blog

That is what comes to mind right now. I’ll post more as I remember them.

Also, I’m running low in money and I would like to hear from you what are other options.
Here is the link to my paypal account if you want to fill up my tank!:thumb

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You forgot one; post information on the bmwmoa forum. :stick :)

This is something I'd love to do, although not possible, currently. I can't see leaving my dog with someone while I ride the world for a year or two. It wouldn't be fair to the dog... or the person I gave her to. Monster. :)

In the meantime, write up some ride reports so I can live vicariously through you! :thumb

[salcar]

I can't see leaving my dog with someone while I ride the world for a year or two. It wouldn't be fair to the dog... or the person I gave her to. Monster. :)




i met one guy in guatemala that was traveling by bike and was carrying his dog with him. if there is a will there is a way. but i do understand. i planned not to have a girlfriend or dog that way when the day come i wouldn't have that "issue" to hold me back.

i have lot's of stories on my blog and planning to create new ones for the bmwmoa forum. i don't feel like copying and pasting the sameones but i might have to do that since time is precious.

[mandypants]

You can expect to read some of Salcar's adventures in an upcoming edition of the Owners News! Keep your eyes peeled!

Ride safe, Salcar!:wave

[jdmetzger]

i met one guy in guatemala that was traveling by bike and was carrying his dog with him. if there is a will there is a way. but i do understand. i planned to to have a girlfriend or dog that way when the day come i wouldn't have that "issue" to hold me back.

i have lot's of stories on my blog and planning to create new ones for the bmwmoa forum. i don't feel like copying and pasting the sameones but i might have to do that since time is precious.

I missed the blog link. It looks good, just from a quick glance! I'd love to do something like this, even if on a smaller scale. You've got me thinking!

[Voni]

Thanks for sharing your wisdom, Salcar.

Off to read your blog . . .

Voni
sMiling

[salcar]

If anyone can help that is good if you need something tangible there is always a t-shirt. It might be good to add to a swag package at the next GIG ? Good luck Salcar I will ride your dust on your adventure. Your youth and leadership will be an asset to the MOA. Be safe and looking forward on your journey and publications.


:clap

Statdawg thank you for the great introduction and thank you for all your help! :deal :thumb

[salcar]

Thanks for sharing your wisdom, Salcar.

Off to read your blog . . .

Voni
sMiling

i got it :evil

Thank you!!!
:D :D

[bigdelta]

that you are currently doing each day?

[salcar]

that you are currently doing each day?

there are 4 different types of days and are listed on the order of how they happen most frequently

1. Riding & looking for cheap places to spend the night
2. Updating blog & forums, emailing friends and family, paying bills online, uploading pictures, writing articles, determining the route
3. meeting local motorcycle community, fixing motorcycle, sightseeing
4. researching healthcare organization and current situation of country, setting up healthcare interviews

the trip had several goals. the first on being to be able to visit all the countries in Latin America plus Cuba. i think that by visiting it will be easier for me to understand any article/study that describes their healthcare situation. this is why i spend most of my time riding.

Because of my lack of funds i spend quite a bit of time updating the blog/forums and emailing people. I don't carry a computer so i'm forced to use cyber cafes and most of them ave slow computers and slow internet thus it takes more time that i can afford. but by keeping in touch with people i've been able to raise more funds.

the past couple of months i found a rider that paid for all my hotels from colombia to argentina. i needed the money but that took a lot of time away from the healthcare research because i needed to be translating for him and helping him get around. he had promise me to give me additional money at the end of the trip. i went out of my way big time to help him out and to make sure he had a good time. once his trip was over i got screw..then when i'm traveling alone my host want to show me the city and take me out for dinner. again taking time away.

when i find some money and a cheap/free place to stay then i have time to do my healthcare research. this can take any form from me stopping at a healthcenter and asking to speak with a physician, stopping at a pharmacy, throuhg a local contact meet a healthcare worker, or just by luck meeting healthcare professionals in my everyday activities.

ideally with more reseources i wouldn't have to move so quickly from place to place that way i could have more time to spend researching the barriers to healthcare access.

now that the trip is about to end i'm starting to look for jobs to. i have major student loans to pay off and the interest rates just keep going up sucking up what little money i have. also servicing the motorcycle lately has been very expensive making me worry about my finances thus spending a lot of time trying to figure creative ways to make some money.

i hope this answers your question.

[OUTBACKUFO]

nice avatar S :thumb
















X

[GlobalRider]

I’ve been on the road for almost six months, traveled across 16 countries and 19,000 miles.

Ciao Sal!

Well you really know how to tour. Its nice to see that you are taking your time to absorb as much as possible while en-route instead of racing through it all.

Sorry, I can't help you with the funds aspect. I'm frugally saving it all for my own tour one day...when I retire. :nyah

[salcar]

Ciao Sal!

Well you really know how to tour. Its nice to see that you are taking your time to absorb as much as possible while en-route instead of racing through it all.

Sorry, I can't help you with the funds aspect. I'm frugally saving it all for my own tour one day...when I retire. :nyah

Ciao GlobalRider :wave
When i retire i hope to have already travelled all across the world and be figuring out how to ship a bike to the moom :stick

[salcar]

nice avatar S :thumb


thank you! :dance

[bigdelta]

there are 4 different types of days and are listed on the order of how they happen most frequently

1. Riding & looking for cheap places to spend the night
2. Updating blog & forums, emailing friends and family, paying bills online, uploading pictures, writing articles, determining the route
3. meeting local motorcycle community, fixing motorcycle, sightseeing
4. researching healthcare organization and current situation of country, setting up healthcare interviews

the trip had several goals. the first on being to be able to visit all the countries in Latin America plus Cuba. i think that by visiting it will be easier for me to understand any article/study that describes their healthcare situation. this is why i spend most of my time riding.

Because of my lack of funds i spend quite a bit of time updating the blog/forums and emailing people. I don't carry a computer so i'm forced to use cyber cafes and most of them ave slow computers and slow internet thus it takes more time that i can afford. but by keeping in touch with people i've been able to raise more funds.

the past couple of months i found a rider that paid for all my hotels from colombia to argentina. i needed the money but that took a lot of time away from the healthcare research because i needed to be translating for him and helping him get around. he had promise me to give me additional money at the end of the trip. i went out of my way big time to help him out and to make sure he had a good time. once his trip was over i got screw..then when i'm traveling alone my host want to show me the city and take me out for dinner. again taking time away.

when i find some money and a cheap/free place to stay then i have time to do my healthcare research. this can take any form from me stopping at a healthcenter and asking to speak with a physician, stopping at a pharmacy, throuhg a local contact meet a healthcare worker, or just by luck meeting healthcare professionals in my everyday activities.

ideally with more reseources i wouldn't have to move so quickly from place to place that way i could have more time to spend researching the barriers to healthcare access.

now that the trip is about to end i'm starting to look for jobs to. i have major student loans to pay off and the interest rates just keep going up sucking up what little money i have. also servicing the motorcycle lately has been very expensive making me worry about my finances thus spending a lot of time trying to figure creative ways to make some money.

i hope this answers your question.

Is it possile for you to work to earn your keep?Obviously be paid under the table
due to your visa status of visitor.I understand your need to do research but wants and needs are 2 different things.We all want to do things,but our needs come first.I'm not trying to sound harsh but priorities often dictate which direction
we take.
I wish you the best in finding more funding sources for your "research".

[salcar]

Is it possile for you to work to earn your keep?".

yes it is possible but not for me unfortunately. my student loan payments make it impossible.
if i worked here i probably wouldn't be able to even pay my student loans. i'm trying to see if i can do writing and selling the articles to magazines in the US or some other job for a US EU company.

one of my goals for the next 5-7 years is to pay off all my debt that way on my next adventure/venture i can find random jobs to keep me going.

[bigdelta]

yes it is possible but not for me unfortunately. my student loan payments make it impossible.
if i worked here i probably wouldn't be able to even pay my student loans. i'm trying to see if i can do writing and selling the articles to magazines in the US or some other job for a US EU company.

one of my goals for the next 5-7 years is to pay off all my debt that way on my next adventure/venture i can find random jobs to keep me going.

:wave

[mandypants]

More of Salcar's story is on the homepage if you're interested!:brow